Verb (ing vs infinitive)

Grammar Salahaddin University

Second year College of Languages
April 2020 English Department
Lecturer: Hoshang Mustafa
 Overview

Learning to use the –ing, the infinitive (to + base

form of the verb) correctly can be challenging.
When do you use finishing versus to finish? The
information on these slides can help!

There are six common uses of the –ing form:

 1.
The –ing form is used in progressive verb tenses with 
auxiliary verbs (helping verbs). These are in active voice. Here
are some examples:

• I am doing my homework.
• I have been writing all day.
• I was writing when the pizza arrived.
 2.
The –ing form can function as a noun. These nouns are called
gerunds and can be the subject of a clause, followed by a 
third-person singular (he/she/it) form of the verb. The gerund
in the following sample sentences is bolded, and the verb is
italicized:
• Writing is an important skill.
• Hiking is one of my favorite activities.
• Reading before bed helps me fall asleep.
 3.
 The -ing  noun (or gerund) can be the direct object of
certain verbs. Some verbs that are followed by a
gerund are the following:
• Admit Avoid Consider Deny Discuss Practice Recall
Suggest

• The verb in the following sample sentences is italicized, and the gerund is
bolded:
• He often avoids answering his phone.
• I considered conducting semistructured interviews.
• She suggested taking notes.
 4.
 The -ing form is used after a preposition. The
preposition in the following example sentences is
italicized, and the –ing is bolded:

• Before conducting the research, it is necessary to complete a

literature review.
• Her experience in interviewing will be beneficial.
• He is bad at remembering appointments. 
• They complained about driving in rush hour.
 5.
 Adjectives are sometimes formed using –ing. The –
ing in the following example sentences is bolded:

• I read an interesting book.
• The barking dog was annoying.
 6.
 The –ing form is sometimes used to include additional
information in a sentence in a reduced relative clause. The –
ing in the following example sentences is bolded, and the full
relative clause is italicized:

• The woman wearing a dress is sitting by the window.

(The woman who is wearing a dress is sitting by the
window.)
• The pens sitting on the desk belong to the teacher.
(The pens that are sitting on the desk belong to the
teacher.)
 Infinitives
 Here are four common uses of infinitives (to + base form of the
verb):
• The infinitive is required after certain verbs in English. Some
verbs that take an infinitive are the following:
• Agree, choose, claim, decide, expect, manage, need,
• offer, plan, prove, refuse, want, wish.

• The verb in the following example sentences is italicized, and

the infinitive is bolded:
• I decided to go to a movie.
• He expected to obtain reliable results.
• She offered to help.
 Infinitives
• The infinitive is also used after certain verb + direct object structures.
Some verbs that use this pattern are the following:
• advise, allow, ask, encourage, help, need, persuade,
require.
• In the following example sentences, the verb is italicized, the direct object
is bolded and italicized, and the infinitive is bolded:

•  I advised him to stay. (Him is the direct object here.)

• I encouraged the participants to ask questions. (Participants is the direct object
here.)
• She required us to sign the consent form. (Us is the direct object here.)
• *He helped me to learn to read. OR He helped me learn to read. (With the
verb help, the infinitive can be used with or without to. Me is the direct object
here.)
 Infinitives
•  Infinitives are used after certain adjectives. Some adjectives
that are followed by infinitives are the following:

• difficult, easy, impossible, wrong.

• The adjective in the following example sentences is italicized,

and the infinitive is bolded:

• It was difficult to complete the rough draft.

• She thought it was impossible to remember all the rules.
• I was wrong to assume you did not understand.
 Infinitives
•   Infinitives are used to express purpose (in order to do
something).  The infinitive in the following sample sentences
is bolded:

• She is driving quickly (in order) to arrive on time.

• He completed all his homework (in order) to earn a good
grade.
• I rewrote my draft three times (in order) to revise it the best I
could.